Rutgers thumped by Michigan, but 5 Scarlet Knights show they can play vs. Big Ten's best

Rutgers' latest blowout loss to Michigan came with more history, but the Scarlet Knights will want to discuss it this time around.

The No. 4-ranked Wolverines overwhelmed the Scarlet Knights on Saturday, as was expected, rolling to a 42-7 triumph in front of an announced crowd of 43,786 at HighPoint.com Stadium in Piscataway.

But it wasn't anywhere close to the unprecendented 78-0 debacle the Scarlet Knights endured the last time Michigan made a trip to town. In fact, the Wolverines didn't even cover, winning by 35 after entering the contest as a 37-point betting favorite.

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As for the aforementioned history, it came with 26 seconds left in the first quarter, when running back Isaih Pacheco put the biggest charge of the season into the crowd with an 80-yard touchdown run to tie the game at 7 -- Rutgers' longest play of the season, and the longest run by a freshman in school history.

The play meant nothing in the grand scheme of things. Michigan went on to score 35 straight points following the score to take complete control. But it was a moment of excitement for Rutgers in a lost season that has had few of them, and it was a highlight display from one of the young players that will be a source of hope as the program moves past this likely 1-11 finish and points toward 2019 and beyond.

Other than Pacheco's touchdown run, Michigan was exactly as advertised -- a national championship-caliber team with a dominant defense and efficient offense just gliding along until the calendar turns to Armageddon on Nov. 24 in Columbus against No. 8 Ohio State.

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The Wolverines were clearly a superior team, and the outcome of the game was never in doubt. The start was a little hairy for Jim Harbaugh's team, though. Michigan drove down inside the Rutgers 20 on its first series, but opted to pass up a short field goal try, presumably due to the heavy gusts early in the game.

But the Scarlet Knights held, with cornerback Avery Young stuffing running back Karan Higdon on fourth-and-1 from the 18 for the turnover on downs. Rutgers wasn't able to do much with the stop, though, and Michigan found the end zone on its next series for a 7-0 lead with 45 seconds left in the opening period.

Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Pacheco then broke his long touchdown run on the next play from scrimmage. But Michigan dominated from there, allowing just 146 more yards in the game. Rutgers was able to finesse its way to progress -- success with the wildcat here, a halfback pass from Pacheco to backup quarterback Gio Rescigno there -- but never enough to sustain a prolonged drive or put more points up.

Michigan (9-1 overall, 7-0 Big Ten) scored right after the Pacheco touchdown - Higdon scored his second touchdown to cap the following drive - and rolled from there, taking another step toward a Big Ten title and a potential berth in the College Football Playoff. The season finale against the rival Buckeyes will likely decide the Big Ten East, and the division champion will be a heavy favorite in the conference championship game.

Julio Cortez | AP Photo

Michigan quarterback Shea Patterson finished the game 18-for-27 for 260 yards and three touchdowns before being relieved by backup Brandon Peters in the fourth quarter. Wideout Nico Collins hauled in two of those touchdowns.

Rutgers quarterback Artur Sitkowski nearly turned in his third straight game without an interception, throwing one of little consequence late while trying to make something happen in garbage time, and finished with an uneventful day.

Michigan all but shut down the Scarlet Knights' passing attack, which was mostly a mix of short throws and screen attempts. Sitkowski finished with just 40 yards on 8-of-19 passing as Rutgers dropped its ninth straight game to fall to 1-9 overall and 0-7 in the conference.

There wasn't necessarily much to take away from the freshman's performance, given the plays called and the protection he received. But there was something to say about some of Sitkowski's teammates. Rutgers was never going to beat Michigan, but there was a question of how it would acquit itself against the Wolverines.

Without the benefit of a film review, here are five Scarlet Knights who appeared to play like they belonged against arguably the class of the Big Ten: